Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

The Boys of Clapham College preparing for any attempted German Invasion

Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

Famous Clapham College Xaverians No 2

Maurice Michael Stephens

Born 20 October 1919 - Ranchi, India

Died 23 September 2004 (aged 84)

Group Captain

Unit No. 3 Squadron RAF No. 80 Squadron RAF No. 229 Squadron RAF No. 232 Squadron RAF No. 249 Squadron RAF

Commands held No. 229 Squadron RAF

No. 232 Squadron RAF

No. 249 Squadron RAF Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

• Battle of France Battles/wars • Battle of Britain

• Channel Front

• Siege of Malta

Maurice Michael Stephens DFC, DSO, RAF (20 October 1919 – 23 September 2004) was a British RAF flying ace of the Second World War. Stephens scored 17 kills, three shared kills, one probable kills and five damaged.

Born in Ranchi, India on 20 October 1919, the son of a British Army Officer, Stephens was educated at College Clapham from 1930 to 1934 and later moved on to Mayfield College, Sussex. His two brothers were also in the RAF [both into Bomber Command]. John his eldest brother was at the College from 1928 to 1935. John was also an RAF “Ace” with Bomber Command gaining a DFC and two Bars, [like his brother] the only set of brothers to achieve such honours [must be something in the water at Clapham].

After leaving Clapham Maurice initially joined the Port of London Authority, before going to the Royal Air Force College Cranwell in 1938. At Cranwell he excelled in boxing and rowing and was awarded his wings in 1940.

Stephens' first posting was to No. 3 Squadron RAF, with whom he fought during the Battle of France. He became the Flight Commander of B Flight during this battle, while still holding the rank of Pilot Officer. On his return from France he was awarded the DFC and Bar, which were gazetted at the same time (and in fact on the same page of the London Gazette):

Distinguished Flying Cross “This officer has destroyed four enemy aircraft in May, 1940, and led his flight with courage and skill.

Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross This officer has continued to lead his flight against formations of enemy aircraft of much superior numbers with such good leadership that he rarely lost any members of his formation. In addition Pilot Officer Stephens brought down four more enemy aircraft recently, bringing his total to eight.

After the fall of France, B Flt was posted to Scotland and reformed as No. 232 Squadron RAF, of which Stephens was Commanding Officer. No 232 Sqn formed part of No. 13 Group RAF during the Battle of Britain. He was promoted Flying Officer on 20 August 1940, in the middle of the Battle.

He next served North Africa where he joined No 274 Squadron and was sent to Turkey for eight months, during which he flew operational patrols along the Bulgarian border. He twice intercepted Italian S-84 reconnaissance aircraft intruding across the border, and shot two down in a Turkish Hurricane, while wearing civilian clothes. In November 1941 he returned to the Western Desert to command No. 80 Squadron. He was shot down and wounded in both feet in December 1941, receiving a DSO in January 1942;

In December, 1941, this officer led a bombing and machine-gun attack on enemy mechanical transport in the Acroma area. Following the attack, Squadron Leader Stephens observed the fighter escort in combat with a force of enemy fighters, but, whilst attempting to participate in the engagement, his aircraft was severely Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars damaged by an enemy fighter pilot whose cannon fire exploded the starboard petrol tank which, with the oil tank, burst into flames. The same burst of fire wounded Squadron Leader Stephens in both feet and blew out the starboard side of the aircraft's cockpit. Squadron Leader Stephens then prepared to abandon aircraft but, when half-way out of the cockpit, he observed an enemy aircraft fly past him. He immediately regained his seat and shot down the enemy aircraft. Squadron Leader Stephens finally, left his crippled aircraft by parachute and landed safely on the ground where he beat out the flames from his burning clothing. Although he had landed within 300 yards of the enemy's lines, Squadron Leader Stephens succeeded in regaining our own territory within three-quarters of an hour. Throughout, this officer displayed great courage and devotion to duty. Previously, Squadron Leader Stephens led his squadron on operations which were of the greatest value during the battle for Tobruk. His leadership and example proved an inspiration.”

He then joined No. 229 Squadron flying Spitfires on Malta in October 1942. He was shot down on 12 October and picked up by an air-sea rescue motor launch. In November we became Wing Commander, Flying of Hal Far airfield. He returned to the UK in 1943 and served in various staff positions, before becoming CFI at 3 OTU in January 1944.

His final score in the war was 15 (and 3 shared) destroyed, 2 Unconfirmed destroyed, 1 probable and 5 damaged.

Stephens continued to serve in the RAF until 1960. After the War he was the first RAF Officer to join the newly formed NATO and had staff appointments with Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and in the Air Ministry, where he was involved in fighter operations.

He joined the Rolls-Royce Company soon afterward and based himself in Paris. He retired altogether in 1980 and lived in the South of France, only to return to Britain in 1992. Medals of the ace who never knew he was beaten

Squadron Leader Mike Stephens was climbing out of his burning Hurricane high above the Western Desert. He had been injured in both feet and much of his fighter’s engine and half the cockpit had been shot away by an enemy aircraft.

But when the Luftwaffe pilot who had attacked him flew past, Stephens climbed back into his plane and shot the enemy Messerschmitt down.

It was only then that he jumped to safety, and by that stage he was on fire himself. He beat the flames out as he parachuted to the ground, landing just 300 yards from the German front line. He hobbled towards friendly lines in the Western Desert before being picked up by Polish troops.

Stephens was awarded a Distinguished Service Order for his heroics. He was just 22 years old. The action, in December 1941, over Acroma, Libya, was one of many acts of bravery carried out by the “ace”, who shot down an estimated 22 enemy aircraft during the war. His medals, as well as other mementoes including his log book, photographs and a flying helmet with oxygen mask are being sold by his son, and are expected to sell for £50,000 at the Dix Noonan Webb saleroom in Mayfair, London, on June 27-28. Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

Stephens, who went on to become a group captain, holds a special place in wartime aviation because he was admitted to three informal “clubs” for RAF pilots. They were the Caterpillar Club, for those who bailed out with a parachute; the Goldfish Club, for those who bailed out into water; and the Flying Boot Club, for those who came down in the desert and had to walk to friendly lines.

David Erskine-Hill, of Dix Noonan Webb, said: “The remarkable wartime career of Mike Stephens epitomises the sustained gallantry displayed by the young pilots of Fighter Command. It was a career encompassing several hundred combat sorties and the award of four decorations for gallantry – only 15 airmen received the combination of a DSO and DFC with 2 Bars in the 1939-45 war.”

Stephens graduated from RAF Cranwell, Lincs, in 1939 and was posted to France where he was quickly in the thick of the action, shooting down enemy planes. Returning from his final sortie in France he had 6in shot off one of his propeller blades but landed the unsteady machine at the airfield. When told that he could not take off with the propeller damage and the plane would have to be destroyed, he had 6in taken off the other end of the propeller and flew it back to Britain.

He saw service in Turkey and North Africa and, in October 1942, volunteered to go to Malta where he came close to death again, as his logbook records.

He wrote: “Squirting 109 good and proper, got him smoking when a Spit (Stead) pulled up in front of me, so had to stop. Shot the port wing off another at 7,000, then later was bounced by a 109 who damaged my engine. Flew on a little way and then had to bail out. Trouble with dinghy, picked up after 3 hours. Moral – know your dinghy drill!”

He did not add that the dinghy operation was made especially difficult by the fact that he kept his left hand in the air throughout because he was wearing a watch that his parents had bought him and he did not want to break it.

In May 1943 Stephens was awarded his third DFC and returned home and saw no further action. He retired from the RAF in 1960 and worked in the aero-engines division of Rolls-Royce in Paris

Medals of the ace who never knew he was beaten

Squadron Leader Mike Stephens was climbing out of his burning Hurricane high above the Western Desert. He had been injured in both feet and much of his fighter’s engine and half the cockpit had been shot away by an enemy aircraft. Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

Inspecting one of his damaged warplanes in 1941

At Buckingham Palace with his wife, collecting his honours

Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

Group Captain Mike Stephens’s Distinguished Service Order; Distinguished Flying Cross, with two bars; 1939-45 Star, clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942- 43; Defence and war medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953 and a Malta, 50th Anniversary Medal 1942- 92 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Former Trooper of " Cardinal's Own" Wins the D.S.C.

One of the original members of the 8th Westminster, the Cardinal's Own, Scout Troop was among the recent naval honours.

He is Lieutenant-Commander Arthur J. Galvin, R.N.R., of H.M.S. Lynx, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross among decorations for—in the words of the official Gazette " Unfailing courage, endurance and resource in His Majesty's trawlers, drifters and mine-sweepers in their hard and perilous task of sweeping the seas clear of enemy mines and combating submarines. MINE-SWEEPING Lieutenant- Commander Galvin, who is 36, was educated at Clapham College, and was an officer in the Merchant Marine and the Royal Naval Reserve, and since the outbreak of war Ass been mine-sweeping off the South Coast. His family live in the Cathedral parish and his father was an officer in the R.A.F. during the last war…….[Catholic Herald 12th January 1940]

News has just been received by airgraph from " somewhere in the Mediterranean " that Lieutenant- Commander Arthur J. Galvin, D.S.C., R.N.R., has been awarded the R.N.R. decoration for ability in seamanship. Lieutenant-Commander Galvin, who is 38, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in January, 1940, and was educated at Clapham College. Catholic Herald 26th June 1942 HMS Britomart (J 22) Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

Minesweeper of the Halcyon class

Navy The Royal Navy

Type Minesweeper

Class Halcyon

Pennant J 22

Built by Devonport Dockyard (Plymouth, U.K.) : Barclay Curle

Ordered 1 Aug 1937

Laid down 1 Jun 1938

Launched 23 Aug 1938

Commissioned 24 Aug 1939

Lost 27 Aug 1944

Loss position 49.41N, 00.05E HMS Britomart (Lt.Cdr. Arthur James Galvin, DSC, RNR) was accidentally History sunk by allied aircraft off Le Havre, France in position 49º41'N, 00º05'E.

Commands listed for HMS Britomart (J 22)

Commander From To

Lt.Cdr. Arthur James Galvin, DSC, RNR 5 Jan 1944 27 May 1944 (+)

Crew of the HMS Britomart Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

Robert Newton was a well known actor who served on Britomart for 4 years (apart from when he was occasionally given special leave to work on select films, notably the patriotic Henry V in 1944). He was released from his duties on medical grounds (asthma). Perhaps his most famous film role was as Long John Silver. (Source: Nicholas Newton (son) & Fiona McGregor)

After D-Day the 1st Minesweeping Flotilla's main task was keeping the swept channel between Portsmouth and Arromanches clear of mines. On 22nd August, operating out of the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches, they were sent to clear a magnetic minefield off Cap d'Antifer. This was to enable the battleship' Warspite' to get closer to the French coast to bombard the port of Le Havre still in German hands. On being ordered back to their previous duty after a maintenance day at Arromanches, the Commanding Officer of HMS Jason (SO 1st MSF in the absence of the Flotilla leader) pointed out to the staff at the minesweeping HQ that the urgent task off Cap d'Antifer was not completed. An amending signal, cancelling the return to the Portsmouth/Arromanches channel, was duly made.

The 1st. Flotilla, led by HMS Jason and including the BRITOMART, Hussar, Salamander and the trawler 'Colsay', began their fifth day of minesweeping on Sunday, 27th August, 1944. At about noon on 27 August when the ships were sweeping, an RAF reconnaissance aircraft flew over low, the pilot returning the waves from the ships' companies. Between 1330 and 1340 on this beautiful day, with the sea smooth as a duck pond, sixteen RAF rocket-firing Typhoons, of 263 and 266 Squadrons accompanied by a Polish squadron of Spitfires, swooped out of the sun and attacked the BRITOMART. On their second attack, the Salamander and Hussar were hit. In just Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars over 10 minutes, two ships were burning and sinking, a third badly damaged and on fire. Men swimming in the water were now subjected to shelling from the German shore batteries.

Hussar and BRITOMART were sunk and HMS Salamander so severely damaged as to be beyond economical repair. The minesweeper Jason and the dan laying trawler Colsay were also damaged in the attack. A total of 78 officers and ratings were killed and 149 wounded, many seriously. Twenty two men were killed on the BRITOMART and fifty five on Hussar. Survivors were later told to 'keep their mouths shut about the whole affair'.

A court of enquiry, held at Arromanches two days later, found that this appalling blunder was due to "an error in communications". This regrettable episode occurred because the signal ordering the 1st MSF to resume their task off Cap d'Antifer, rather than sweeping off Arromanches, was not repeated to the Flag Officer British Assault Area. Although, therefore, the reconnaissance aircraft had reported the ships as friendly and the leader of the airborne Typhoons had twice questioned his orders to attack, the shore staff persisted with the strike because it was thought that enemy vessels were trying to enter or leave Le Havre. The RAF was completely exonerated

Sketch made by divers of HMS BRITOMART 30 metres down on the sea bed in 2002

Position: 49°40.294N / 000°06.775W Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

GALVIN, Arthur J, Lieutenant Commander, RNR, Britomart, 27 August 1944, ship loss, MPK Ensign’s tragic tale

WANDERING along the beach of the French port of Villiers-Sur-Mer, a small boy picked up a large tattered White Ensign that had been washed ashore and kept it as a souvenir.

Over forty years later he handed it in to the British Ministry of Defence, and steps were taken to discover its origins, through the letters column of Navy News.

Now it appears that the full tragic story has been finally pieced together and the ensign is from HMS Salamander, a minesweeper operating off the French coast in 1944 and mistakenly attacked and sunk by British aircraft.

Operating with two sister ships, Britomart and Hussar, Salamander had hoisted two extra ensigns in a vain bid to identify the group’s nationality, but the attack claimed 86 lives and a further 124 were wounded, leaving Salamander with her stern blown off, and the other two ships sunk.

The six foot by three foot ensign has now found a final resting place in the Hampshire village of Wickham, a village twinned with Villiers-Sur-Mer. Presented to the local branch of the Royal British Legion it now occupies a special place in the Community Centre’s special twinning display.[Navy News 1984]

Written Answers to Parliamentary Questions

Friendly Fire Incident (Normandy)

Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that a memorial service is held for the men killed on HMS HUSSAR, HMS BRITOMART, HMS SALAMANDER and HMS COLSAY in the friendly fire incident off Normandy on 27 August 1944; and if he will make a statement. Arthur would have started at Clapham in 1915 Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

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Missing from our WW II Roll of Honour, but will be soon be added to “our fallen heroes”

Researching Clapham Old Xaverians who served in the 1914-1918 World War. Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

Trawling through the Clapham College Registers I have managed to find 37 Old Boys who served in WW I.. I have confirmed their details from the Armed Forces Website. In a speech at the Bedford Hotel in the mid-1950s the COXA Chairman "toasted" the "55" who gave up their lives for this Country in 1914-1918. Brother Dunstan, in one of his articles, names EIGHT who had died in the Great War, and how they were sorely missed. Slowly browsing the Forces Website I found that of the 37 Old Boys I had confirmed 12 had been "Killed in Action". I doubt whether I will get anything like a full list but I am determined to go through all the names [at the present time I have researched about a quarter of the Registers].

1907 Atherton, Walter 29.07.1896 1898 Banti, Arthur Ernesto Dario Maria 26.12.1891 1907 Barsby, Charles 12.02.1895 1903 Beggin, Maurice 21.02.1893 1907 Bilham, Arthur Ernest James M.C. 23.06.1894 1905 Blumenthal, Sydney 26.02.1896 1899 Bourke, Rowland DSO Victoria Cross 28.11.1886 1902 Brooks, Francis 03.06.1889 1904 Buchanan, Alan Victor Boiteux 11.01.1894 1901 Buchanan, Clifford William 24.12.1891 1904 Chance, Geoffrey John (NO D.O.B) 1906 Coleman, John Patrick CBE [AFC] 21.08.1894 1909 Cummings Kenneth Gordon 1898 1904 Cuss Percy -B17 born 1893 1903 Devereux, Herbert 28.02.1894 1909 Fisher, Edward Francis John 29.01.1900 Fox [seven possible] 1898 Grosvenor, Walter Seymour 17.11.1884 1906 Heiliger Johnny 1903 Hierchner Bernard CBE 1901 Jackson, John 19.12.1891 Kirkhill - 1900 Letts Ernest 1898 Lincoln Reed, Inglis Edward 17.03.1887 1902 McKenzie, John 04.08.1891 1902 McSweeny, Felix [Irish Cork] Painter 17.03.1890 1909 O'Donohoe, John "Jack" 04.01.1897 1910 Paine Nevin 01.02.1901 1906 Pearmain, Julian [Moor] 1897 1906 Pereira, Helio 25.03.1896 1897 Secchi, Leopold D 13.08.1886 1907 Simmons, Henry James 01.10.1895 1903 Sutherland, John Joseph 23.08.1892 1904 Tolman Charles born 1893 1906 Venables, Edward Francis Thomas 19.09.1896 1902 Wingrove, John Henry 27.04.1882 1900 Yeats, Leo 07.08.1887

Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

The real difficulty is that many names both on the Registers and the Forces Website use initials, or just Surnames: therefore "confirmation" is cannot be 100%I have added the "37" found to date [above] the Killed in Action "Old Boys" are in Yellow and there are FOUR who really distinguished themselves in Action. I have a great deal more information, Rank, where they served, Regiments, where buried... etc etc... it will have to be another article in Concordia.

Kenneth Gordon

Surname: Cumming Resided Town: Sydenham, Kent

Nationality: British Date of Death: 24/07/1918 Fate: Killed in Action

Rank: Private Service Number: 25478 Duty Location: France And Flanders

Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

World War One 1914 to 1918 Started Name dob Address Rank Informaion Fought Forces Reg Killed in Action 1907 Atherton, Walter 29.07.1896 Alderbrook Road Gunner Box Office Brixton TheatreFlanders Royal Field Artillery "A" Battery 147th Brigade Died 05.10.1918 1898 Banti, Arthur Ernesto Dario Maria 26.12.1891 16 Ranelagh Mans.Hurling. Army Lieutenant Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) 1907 Barsby, Charles 12.02.1895 Dublin Died 29.10.1917 Private France & BelgiumSouth Irish Horse 7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion Died 29.10.1917 1903 Beggin, Maurice 21.02.1893 Jersey Boarder 1907 Bilham, Arthur Ernest James M.C. 23.06.1894 Devonshire Road 2nd Lieutenant WW I Royal Engineers Distinguished Service Army 1905 Blumenthal, Sydney 26.02.1896 Fulham Park Road (NO DATE) Labour Corp. Jewish Sergeant No. 635 Served from 1914 1899 Bourke, Rowland DSO Victoria Cross 28.11.1886 6, Ranelaigh Mansions, SW Lieut-Commander played a gallant part in the naval attackGaz on 14146 Zeebrugge 23rd Apr 1918. 1902 Brooks, Francis 03.06.1889 Highgate 1904 Buchanan, Alan Victor Boiteux 11.01.1894 Lessar Avenue 2nd Lieut Royal Flying Corps. Royal Flying Corps 1901 Buchanan, Clifford William 24.12.1891 Lessar Avenue 1904 Chance, Geoffrey John (NO D.O.B) Victoria Road 2nd Lieut Royal Fusiliers (London Regiment) 1906 Coleman, John Patrick CBE [AFC] 21.08.1894 Gasscott Road Wings 12.04.1915 HendonAIR COMMODORE Served BOTH WWs Lived in Italy Awarded AFC France 1917 (Grahame-White Biplane R.N.A.S. 1909 Cumming Kenneth Gordon 1898 Lambert Rd, Brixton Sydenham, Kent 25478 24.07.1918 Died 1918 Buried Poperinge,Belgium Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Killed in Action 1904 Cuss Percy -B17 born 1893 2 Larch Road Bedford Hill Age 25 Garrison Battalion Suffolk Regiment Killed in Action 1903 Devereux, Herbert 28.02.1894 Ravenstone Road RAF Sergeant Mechanic was Electrician R.A.F. from R.N.A.S 1909 Fisher, Edward Francis John 29.01.1900 Gayville Road, SW Fox [seven possible] Killed in Action 1898 Grosvenor, Walter Seymour 17.11.1884 43, Narbonne Avenue, SW 2nd Lieutenant London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers Seniority 30/01/1918 1906 Heiliger Johnny 1903 Hierchner Bernard CBE E. Moseley, Surrey. Journalist Newspaper Editor Wounded returned to Clapham in 1914 1901 Jackson, John 19.12.1891 Offerton Road [was Shop Assistant] Tooting Kirkhill - Killed in Action 1900 Letts Ernest Royal Navy Res. 1898 Lincoln Reed, Inglis Edward 17.03.1887 1 Crescent Grove, SW (NO DATE) War Office Commands & Staff Lieutenant Special Appoint., (Class GG),4 Battalion Gloucestershire Reg. Seniority 21/11/1917 1902 McKenzie, John 04.08.1891 Lyndon Road 1902 McSweeny, Felix [Irish Cork] Painter 17.03.1890 Chesnut Grove Age 27 Died 30.07.1917 2nd Lieutenant France/FlandersMiddx Reg. 19th Batallion Killed in Action 1909 O'Donohoe, John "Jack" 04.01.1897 Acre Lane, SW Officer Somme COXA Commttee Wounded Irish Fusiliers RIP 1946 1910 Paine Nevin 01.02.1901 Streathbourne Rd, SW17 From Australia Boarder Bank of Australasia RIP 1994 1906 Pearmain, Julian [Moor] 1897 Bonneville Gardens Army 2nd Lieutenant 1906 Pereira, Helio 25.03.1896 (NO ADDRESS) died on 05.06.1916 Army - Rifle Brigade Rifleman P/154 Killed in Action 1897 Secchi, Leopold D 13.08.1886 62, Carminia Road, SW Army Temp. Lieutenant 1907 Simmons, Henry James 01.10.1895 Dockhead Killed in Action 1903 Sutherland, John Joseph 23.08.1892 Hambalt Road Killed in Action 1904 Tolman Charles born 1893 Stanmore Middx Private Age 23 RoyalDied Marine 07.07.1916 Light VIII. C. 105 Bolonge East Cem. East Sussex Reg Killed in Action 1906 Venables, Edward Francis Thomas 19.09.1896 Tantallon Road CH/18009 Corporal Infant. Chatham Discharged to PensionDied 22/02/1962 Reg Number Kew 18009 Killed in Action 1902 Wingrove, John Henry 27.04.1882 Balham Park Road London Z/2655 Navy Able Seaman Royal Naval Vol. Reserve 1900 Yeats, Leo 07.08.1887 Lucerne, Switzerland (NO DATE) Field Artillery Attached Brit. Army Seniority 22/05/2018

The World War Two list of soldiers is immense

Have recorded 370 Old Boys who I know served….. we were a small school and should be proud of these names.

We are sure that 40 gave their lives for their Country and are on our Roll of Honour – they are the first list below.

For me to find the 370 names was due almost 100% to the information in the War Time Concordia’s.

In the age before emails/databases and the W.W.Web it was a miracle the COXA Editor collected the information he did.

Today we lose track of dozens of Old Boys each year – what a great effort to track so many boys for those 6 years.

The “spirit” of the Association which we strive to maintain inthe21st Century must have been incredibly strong then.

How many Old Boy’s served [and possibly died] that we are unaware of communication must have been so difficult.

Families often worked hard to trace their loved-ones, imagine the difficulties of the Association keeping track.

The list below is therefore as comprehensive as we have in our archives and they have been added for your information.

I have a great deal more detail on these brave young men and would appreciate more if it is available.

If there are errors [or additions] please inform me – I have no vested interest in maintaining misinformation…..

Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

Angel Wilfred Army Killed in Tank Action Anscomb Robert R.A.F. Died in a mid-air collision over England Banks Ronald Army Died of his wounds Barclay Denis J Army Kiilled in Active Service Beale JN Army Army [and Beckwith Alan RAF] Seconded to the R.A.F. - Killed in Action North Africa Bradley Leo Navy Killed in Action on HMS Courageous in 1939 Clare Richard R.A.F. Killed in Acton against the Enemy Clarke Terence R.A.F. Shot Down in raid over Enemy Territory Corry Daniel R.A.F. Killed in Active Service over Malta Daniels Dennis D Army Killed in Action on HMS Courageous in 1939 Diprose Peter R.A.F. Shot Down in South Africa Dodd, Gerard Dominic R.A.F. Believed Killed in Action - shot down in the Middle East Douglas Thomas Downs Henry T R.A.F. Shot Down Ellis Richard Army Died in a Japanese POW Camp just before the Liberation in 1945 Firth Desmond R.A.F. Shot Down over Enemy Territory Galvin Arthur Navy Killed in Action at Sea his ship the 'Britomart' sunk 27th Aug. 1944 Gleeson Peter R.A.F. Killed in Action on raid over Enemy Territory Hand Vernon R.A.F. Killed in Action on Air Operations Higginson Peter Army Killed in Action - attached to the Commandos Hodges Denis W R.A.F. Killed in Action Hughesdon Percy R.A.F. Posted Missing in Action then Killed in Action - on Air Operatons Jenkins Bernard Navy HMS Prince of Wales [Battleship] sunk by Japanese Aircraft 1942 Singapore On Japanese transporter ship taking him to Japan was torpedoed by Allied Jones Kenneth Navy Submarine Jones Philip R.A.F. Shot Down in raid over Enemy Territory Keast Peter Army Lost Life trying to save his wounded Seargeant - Reported in the Press May Bernard R.A.F. Kiilled in Raid over Enemy Territory McInerney, Geoffrey R.A.F. Shot Down in raid over Enemy Territory Morrison Malcolm R.A.F. Shot Down in raid over Enemy Territory [trained in Saskatchewan 1941] Murray Dennis R.A.F. Shot Down in raid over Enemy Territory O'Connell John R.A.F. Shot Down in raid over Enemy Territory O'Neill Desmond R.A.F. Shot Down [fought in the Battle of Britain] Payne Richard R.A.F. Killed in Action Pedrazgini Richard R.A.F. Posted Missing in Action then Killed in Action Phillips George Army Killed in Action in Western Euope Reynolds James R.A.F. Posted Missing in Action then Killed in Action - on Air Operatons Riley Kenneth Army Died in an Air Accident over Italy Ryder Thomas R.A.F. Posted Missing in Action then Killed in Action - on Air Operatons Saunders Lawrence R.A.F. Posted Missing in Action then Killed in Action in raid over Enemy Territory Merchant Thew Basil Navy Killed in Action Watson Philip R.A.F. Killed on Active Sevce Westwood John "Jack" R.A.F. Shot Down in raid over Enemy Territory Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

Abrahams William Army Aldridge William Army Lance Corporal Ambrose Paul RAF Ardley William RAF WW II Arnold Derrick Bailey Desmond Army Bailey Pat Served WW II Army Priest Baldwin Freddie Owned his own Solicitors firm Radio Operator Bartlett George Staff Sergeant Bates Richard Army Wounded Middle East Bell Kenneth Priest With Army Germany brother John '48 Benito F Army WW II Billington Edgar RAF Bond Jack [John] Bone Peter Booth, William, [Bill] Bank Clerk - Westminster Bk BOF "Gunner" Bounevialle Casimar DFC Shipping Bullion from Saigon then Commercial Pilot Boxall Michael Commissioned Officer Army WW II Bradshaw Peter Brennan Pat Queen's Reg. Palestine Walsingham Brinn Anthony PB "Dougie" Commercial Artist RAMC Brookes Ray V Captain [Army] RA Climbed Kilomanjaro Browne George Canterbury Browne James Telephonist Lieutenant Navy Browne P Fleet Air Arm Navy Buckland Sidney RAF Bulbeck, Joseph Lance Corp. Burke Denis Messers Stubbs Ltd Cammack E Sergeant Army WW II Cammack John Anti Aircraft WW II Carrick Kenneth R Army Carrick Robert A Royal Artillery Army WW II Cartwright Peter Sapper - County London Reg. Army Centenari Bruno Glastonbury Cetre Fernand Lieut.-Col. , Military Cross "wounded" Chamberlain William Civil Servant Charlton Len Army WW II Church John Clark Roland RAF WW II Clarke Michael Coates Desmond Cochrane Frank Cockrill John Adrian Surrey Yeomanry Fought "all over" 1939/1945 Coleman George L Squadron Leader Coleman, John Patrick CBE Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

Coleson Peter Collins Booby Student [now Egham. Surrey] Glastonbury Corcoran W Cosgrove Derek Course Ronald R.A.F. - Radio Branch Transfered Army Covell John Canadian Pac. Railway Emigrated to Canada, Hamilton Crawley Gerald H RAF 1940/45 [India] Crawley Wilfred Solicitor Army WW II Crook Charles Crook William R Crouch John Croton Lawrence Royal Army Med. Corps Cullen John Writing for the "Victory" magazine Curtin Peter J Doctor Navy Surgeon Cussac Peter C Receptionist Davey William Joined Army 1940 - 1945 Dawe Neale Deasy Patrick Donovan L Docking Operations Section Army WW II Dowell Bernard Anti-Tank Regiment Trumpeter Dowell Patrick Army Dowell JL Royal Artiliary Doyle Jack Cerified Accountant Dupre Anthony Argyle & Sutherland Eames B then Royal Corp Signals British Red Cross Eaton Maurice 2nd Lietenant Edwards Lawrence Opened Business Boscombe Ellis Alexander Ellis Henry [Harry] Army [Taylor in The Strand] Ellis R Army WW II Corporal Emery Aleck Sergeant RAF WW II Died in a flying accident in 1947 Fabbrini Arthur Royal Tank Regiment Captain Fabbrini Robert M Warehouse Middlesex Re. Fidgeton Edwin Fincham Bernard Army WW II Foti Eric St John RAF WW II St Joseph's Seminary Francis Bernard RE Radio Location [brother of George] Francis George RE Radio Location [brother of Bernard] Frew Francis Lance Corp. Gallagher Donald Royal Corps Signals Gambrell A then Royal Navy Air Raid Precautions Gane Vincent Pilot Officer RAF Gandy Edward Captain Army Gange Denis W RAF Air Crew Gillon John RAF Gleeson John Civil Servant Goldie Julian Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

Gonet Denis RAF WW II Professional singer Montreal Goodwin AF RAF 1941 Gualzatta JMR Infantry Training Com. Green Eric Dept for Labour London Griffin Bernard Griffiths AR Haberlin Michael married 1945 Hadida Douglas M Civil Engineer RAF Hairs P RAF Hand Vernon RAF Air Crew Handley John Musical Director Army WW II Harvey Bernard Army WW II Egypt Hawksworth Gerald Hayter Ted Hemmings Bernard Accountant -Doulton & Co Sergeant Hemmings Lionel Army WWII Lieutenant Henriques F Hensler Bernard Intelligence Corps Army Hicks Hurbert Surveyor's Clerk Higgins John BEM Higginson Chris Hill Raymond Hill Ronald Met. Police Special Con. Hodges William Engineer [W.O. RAF] Glastonbury Hodges Edmund Royal Signals, Art Teacher Glastonbury Hodges Edward R.A.F. Hook Dennis RIP 2009 Holy Ghost Primary Hoole Anthony Teacher wounded - joined Army Ed. Corps. Hoskin Philip Corporal Houlihan Patrick Foreign Mission Soc. Interned by Germans [Priest] Hoy Gerald RAF Hughes Ted Hughes WG Hughesdon Harold Commission & Wings Canada Teaching in South America Johnson Anthony Navy - Escort Carrier Jones Arthur Jones Derrick COXA Hon. Sec 1949 London Rifle Brig. Jones John F Accounts Clerk Judd Robert RAF Julien Henry Corporal Keast J Royal Marines Keast WWL Sergeant Intelligence Corps Keating John Kelleher Peter illustrated a book - Water Sprite Charterhouse Kelly John Awarded G.O.C. Kelly Ralph Royal Navy Kenny Desmond Cricket [batman] Bromley Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

Kerr Marcel RAF Lane V Pilot Officer RAF Langley Michael Mediteranean Royal Army Med. Corp. Lawlor Brian Walsingham Lawlor Raymond Army WWII Le Gros Clark John Sergent Navigator Le Rux L Army WWII Leates F Army Lennane James Royal Navy Lewis Ron Airline Clerk Lishmund Ronald Lorriman Gerard [Doctor] Married Captain RAMC Macer William "Bill" RAF WWII - demobbed 1945 Madigan William "Bill" Civil Servant [Aviation] Duke of Cornwall Light Inf. Mahony Lawrence OBE Army WW II Malcolm George Warrant Officer Mayor Ivor Army WWII McCarthy Bernard McGee James PW Flight Mechanic McGee Pat W LAC Morel Alphonse "Ted" Army WW II Morel George Army WW II Morel Gerald Army WW II Morey Michael RCS Signals Morrison Charles RCS Signals Moss Cyril Army Mounde Reggie Moynihan Anthony Trained Ground Crew - disbanded Mulvihill Donald [Don] Accountant Murtagh PJ Student Mutter William Radio Officer Neale David Royal Marines Newton Philip POW Burma WW II [India] Captain Nixon Clifford "Duggie" Lieut.-Col Nixon John O'Brien Kenneth RAF - trained Canada O'Donohoe Hugh Merchant Navy O'Donohoe Michael RAF 1944/45 India Sergeant - Pilot O'Donohoe, Mortimer W Major O'Donoghue John AC2 RAF O'Dowling G B O'Flynn P Army O'Grady, James Gerald Over 3 yrs Japanese O'Keeffe Terence RAF 1941 O'Leary JB Royal Navy O'Reilly John Orchard Brian Medical Officer Home Guard Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

O'Sullivan Carroll WWII O'Sullivan Donal Navy 1941 O'Sullivan Kevin DFC Fliight-Lieutenant shot down 5 enemy aircraft O'Sullivan Maurice Army B.O.F. [1941] Brother O'Sullivan Philip Page Anthony "Tony" Yorkshire Elecs. Leeds 1945 Army Inteligence Palmer James Sergeant Palmer Tom Major Army WWII Palmer William MC Major - Irrawaddy / Japanese led his men bravely Patry Jean [Maurice] Patry M Army Payne Richard RAF Pearson Gordon Royal Engineers [France] Lieutenant Pedrazzini D RAF Pendlebury James Army Belgium Peterson George Flight Lieu+H74tenant Peterson Henry Sergeant Canadian Army Pierce Reginald Army - Catholic Priest brother Gary Pinder John Insurance Clerk Plummer Charles LAC RAF WWII Platt George Plummer Frederick Pilot Officer RAF Auxiliary Fire Service Powell Leonard Army WWII [officer] [Auditor] Possnicher Kevin Royal Marines WW II Price Gordon RAF WW II Price Herbert J Brother Marc [1929] Price Marc Army 1939-1945 Priest Dominic Prince, Kenneth Cleche Walsingham Quick Anthony Royal Engineers Army WW II Quick Bernard "PJ" Royal Engineers Army WW II Quick Sidney Squadron Leader RAF Quick Thomas Royal Engineers Army WW II Quin Denis Company Sec Radlmeyer Louis Raffield Anthony "Bill" Ransom Francis RAC WW II Rayer John Rees Terence Glastonbury Regan BG Army WW II Civil Servant Regnault Peter Sub-Lieu RN VR Bank Clerk Reidy John 2nd Lieutenant Reilly Denis J Working for IPC in Devon Reynier Peter MC Scots Fusiliers Reynier Rudolph Canterbury Reynolds G Anthony Norway then Palestine Reynolds Eric RCS Arbourne WW II Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

Reynolds James Sergeant Observer Riley Kenneth then Captain Sergeant Major RCS Robigo John RAF Air Crew Rodwell E H Rodwell Peter G Captain Rose Francis Chemist - Woolwich Arsenal Army - Officer Rouse Henry "Harty" Army WWII POW now Northants Rowthorne Jack Eaglefield Taining College Rutter Robert Royal Navy WW II Sub-Lieutenant Ryan Thomas Holland receiving casualities LRCP / MRCS Holland WW II Saunders Charles Royal Sussex Reg Sergeant Saunders Ernest Intelligence Corps Sergeant Saunders Patrick Royal Army Pay Corps Savill Peter Scannell Jerimaha Scannell Joseph Colonial Service Uganda 1948 Shaw Thomas G R.A.M.C. Clerk Simmonds Francis Highland Light Infantry Simmonds Louis Highlands Light Inf. Army Smale Douglas Ccaptain Army Smith Victor Army BOAR Rhine Royal Artiliary Squires Arthur Hospital Admin. Glastonbury Squires Ronald Army Stakemire Fred [married in S. Africa] Staples Eric Priesthood Training [1948] Paymaster-Lieutenant Stapleton Christopher Sergeant Stean G RAF WW II Stephens B RAC Mechanic Stephens John R.A.F. Stephens Maurice DFC & Two Bars-like his brother Squires Bernard Royal Navy WW II Storey Basil RAF 1943 WWII Sutton Anthony Instructor Tallack CR Sergeant Quartermaster Tallack Peter J Captured Crete Army WW II Taylor A Royal Navy WW II Timms Clifford Clerk Timms TR Accountant Totman Edward Bart Walsingham Travers Paul "The Tank" Brother Des & Brian Heavy build Travis Desmond RAF WW II - Air Crew works Edin Uni. Trumper Phil [Aged 91] Army - Royal Artiliary RIP 2001 Tully Peter Rome WW II Demobbed Army 1945 - Nat West Tully Michael "Mick" Auditor Sergeant Tunmer P.A. Flying Officer RAF Turner Arthur RAF [Overseas 1941] Sergeant Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars

Veasey, John Served RAF in Italy Sergeant/Air Gunner [Liberator] Vickery B Army Anti-Tank Regiment Walker Gerard Army WW II Wall David "Dave" raconteur Wallis Victor Secretary Walsh Brian War Office Selection Board Engineering Cadet Walsh Terrence Chemist Ward Gilbert RAF Ware John 2nd Lieutenant Army Warren Derek RC Signals Captain Westward Ronald NALGO Clerk Whichelow, Thomas J Corporal WW II White Bert Bank Clerk White Geoffrey Army WW II Non-Combatant Corps. White R Wilson John Discgarged on Med Grounds Army WWII Wilson, Brian Michael Army WW II Walsingham Wilson Laurence Flight-Lieu RAF WWII Woodman Frank Army WWII Woodruff Douglas raid on Berchtesgarten Help sink Ad. Scheer Woodruff William J Royal Artiliary Army Woollard John Royal Artiliary Army

Civil Defence Banks William Scientist BSc Gas Identification Officer Butterworth C Auxiliary Fire Ser. Cullen JB Air Raid Precautions Dowd W Auxiliary Fire Service Edgley Francis " Frank" Met. Police Reserve Gambrell A then Royal Navy+C301 Air Raid Precautions Gander G "A" Auxiliary Fire Service Godwin LJ St John's Ambulance Brig. Grist William Auxiliary Fire Service Harris Herbert WWII ARP/AFS Home Guard Hawthorne RB Air Raid P. Commandant Kachel Eddie ASSA Accountant - Sec. Soldan WC1 Air Raid Protection Murray, James Managing Director Air Raid Precautions Newell Reginald Agricultural Air Raid Precautions O'Grady Terence City London Special Constab. Lindsey Alan Ministry of Supply Staffs. 1947 Pinder EE Air Raid Precautions Skelton Joseph Captain Walsingham Met. Poice War Res. Tallack Hugh Sergeant Surrey Constab. Trumper Ronald Auxiliary Fire Service

Clapham Old Xaverians who served this Country in the Great Wars HOME GUARD Hughes Arthur Home Guard Kressing Albert Home Guard Kressing Robert Home Guard O'Sullivan Jack Home Guard Trumper Richard Home Guard Ward Maurice Civil Servant Home Guard

"Concordia"

The Official Organ of The Clapham Old Xaverians Association.

Vol. IV. DECEMBER, 1945. No. 5.

VICTORY NEWS LETTER.

Dear Members,

After six long and weary years of waiting this is our Victory Issue. We had hoped to produce a really special edition to mark the occasion, but unfortunately Eddie Kachel has had to go abroad on a business trip and he has left me, with his blessing, as sole Editor. For this reason I apologise in advance for the many faults you will inevitably find in these pages. I know that the whole Association, for whom he has done so much, joins with me in wishing him a pleasant trip'and a safe return. The members of this Association have borne their full share of the battle. Ten more deaths have been notified so far since our last issue, making a total of forty Old Boys killed in this war. To their grieving families I offer, on behalf of the Association, our deepest sympathy and the promise of our prayers. We will not forget them, and we will do our utmost to achieve that for which they died. The Annual Mass will be offered this year on Sunday, 17th February, at 10 o'clock in the College Chapel, and we invite all relatives to attend. Still more of our Members have won decorations. I offer them our congratulations. We can justifiably feel proud of the many members who have won high honours throughout the war and, considering its size, this Association has a record equalled by few and surpassed by none. At this point I must say how glad we all are that the School is back in Clapham after its prolonged absence. It is very nice to be able to drop in and have a chat from time to time. This will be particularly good news to the many who have written saying how disappointed they were that, in their short leaves, they were unable to see the Brothers. I am happy to report that the Association seems to be going from strength to strength. There are more paying members than at any time in its history and they are taking a more active interest in its functions than ever before, Long may this state of affairs continue. Elsewhere in this issue you will find a programme of the social events arranged. At this point I would only call your attention to the Victory Dinner and Dance arranged for the 27th April.

Introduction from the Editor on the Victory Concordia, must have been a joyous event

Scotty